Oscar nomimated best picure adaptation of a Stephen King novel about a gentle giant of a prisoner with supernatural powers, who brings a sense of spirit and humanity to his guards and fellow inmates. Oscar award winning ac... more &raquotor Tom Hanks heads the cast in this emotionally riveting story.&laquo less

Movie Reviews

A testament to humanity and a fine story

Linda Linguvic | New York City | 10/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Starring Tom Hanks as a death-row prison guard in 1935, and written by Stephen King, this is an example of story-telling at its finest. My most frequent criticism of films is that they tend to be overlong, but The Green Mile, at a three full hours, needed every precious second in order to pace the story, develop its characters, and lead the viewer into the satisfying conclusion.Despite some gruesome scenes depicting the details of electric chair execution, the film is a testament to the humanity of people. The audience gets to experience the stress of the responsibility of prison guards seeking to bring a bit of dignity to the last days of the convicted men, and we share their moral dilemma when they are faced with hard choices.Michael Clarke Duncan, cast as the simple and honest black man sentenced to die for supposedly killing two little girls, is absolutely superb and was nominated for an academy award for his outstanding performance. He's 43 years old, 6'5" tall and a former ditch digger and bodyguard. He has the rare quality to be able to show emotion in a way that makes the audience understand the complexities of his character.Tom Hanks, of course, is excellent, giving us the kind of fine performance we have come to expect of him. And the rest of the cast, including Michael Jeter as the villain, and David Morse as a fellow prison guard are perfect. There is also a small cameo role for Gary Sinese as the Louisiana prosecutor who believes in the guilt of the supposed killer.Directed by Frank Darabont who also shared the scripting of this film with Stephen King, every scene is constructed with just the right amount of tension to keep the viewer glued to the screen. There was not one wasted moment.But by no means is this a simple "wrongly-accused killer" film. There's a slight suspension of reality well integrated into the story line. And constant thought-provoking questions that stay with you long after the video is over.Unless you are the kind of person who absolutely can't bear some heart-wrenching brutal scenes, don't miss this video. I give it my highest rating."

Another Fine Stephen King Adaptation by Frank Darabont

Ryan Costantino | Nowhere, Special | 02/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many are the weary Stephen King fans when it comes to movies made from his work. Until Frank Darabont came along and brought us The Shawshank Redemption making us believe in the possibility of a good movie stemming from a good book. The Green Mile is no exception. This is the fascinating serial novel brought to living, breathing, vivid life. Spectacular performances by every member of the cast. (Please take note of Michael Clarke Duncan's performance as John Coffey) A note to those who have read my reviews here on Amazon, in my review of The Green Mile: The Complete Serial Novel I mistakenly call the character John Coffey; Paul Coffey(who happens to be an excellent hockey player). The mistake was noted after the review was posted and please understand I was embarassed by that. But life goes on. Back to the movie. The Green Mile is quite lengthy(which will deter some potential viewers) but its length is necessary to tell the story. And what a story it is. A large black man, a little slow upstairs but kind to the soul, is accused and convicted of murdering two little girls. The setting is Florida during the Depression, a time and place brimming with injustices. The story and the movie deal with this with heartwarming sincerity, coming close to being a tearjerker. Being a Stephen King movie the supernatural can't be far behind and John Coffey, who wouldn't hurt a fly, is just full of surprises. A real treat for Stephen King fans and moviegoers in general and one of the best movies to come along in recent years."

More than five stars

Edward Gordon Brown | 03/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is by far the best adaptation of King on-screen, and also one of the most wonderful films I have ever seen. All the actors seemed to live and breathe their roles. I usually have the annoying habit of wanting to know how long it would take until a film ends, but that was a question that never popped into my head during the course of this film. I've seen the eighteen reviews before me and I've read many of them giving a synopsis of the film. I will steer clear from that and simply say that I absolutely loved all the actors...Michael Clarke Duncan shone as John Coffey (good God that man's enormous), David Morse(Brutus), Dough Hutchison as the vile Percy Wetmore and last but certainly not least, Sam Rockwell as Wild Bill Wharton. He, as all the rest of the cast, was perfect for the role. People who complain about the length of the film don't really understand what The Green Mile is all about, I think... and what it is to me, is one of the best movies I've ever seen, and I will certainly see it many more times in the future. Frank Darabont, and everyone else who made The Green Mile exist- especially the main man behind it- Stephen King- I can't thank you enough. This is sheer brilliance."

The Green Mile

Ryan Costantino | 04/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I went to see this movie in the cinema a few months ago, not sure on what type of movie this was going to be but for the first 40 minutes it was a standard prison drama. Around now it takes an interesting twist and S Kings influence is obvious and from now on it takes you on a high low emotional ride which even for me left me and all of the rest of the people in the cinema silent at the end. Great movie, the best of Kings films yet!"

Almost Real

Betty Chan | 04/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I understand that coming from this part of the world (Asia) and having been in this world only in the last 2 decades, I have little knowledge of the REAL racial prejuice back early last century although I have studied literature on it.The film in question provided a well-mix of emotions when watched. "Reality" apart (please do not forget that this was based on a novel), it provides a lot of inward reaches into the soul when one watches it with an open mind.Apart from the 1930s settings, the story can well be set in the present context; jailbirds on deathrow, regret for their misdeeds, mistreatment by guards, finding some joy in their last days, finding hope when there is none. If the time and place of the movie upsets you because "it wasn't like that during that time", perhaps you can imagine it as modern-time. Remember though, the supernatural element that is the core of the plot.I must say that the humour, sadness, joy, horror and pity that filled me after watching it created a pool for reflection. Mind you, not on how much the film matched "reality" back in the 1930s but how we treat fellow human beings and even animals.If you have been out of touch with your feelings, I strongly recommend that you watch The Green Mile. Watch it with an open mind and focus not on how accurate the story is in reference to what really happened (as the other reviewers had mentioned) but on the humanity of it all.Let your feelings overwhelm you at the deaths of the characters. Let the cruelty hit you. Let the tears sting your eyes. Enjoy it as a real person.I know that I'm going to keep a VCD of this movie."